Submit property details: Ajit’s PA told

Pune-based hostel rector, Shivajirao Kale, who is also personal assistant to deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar at his Pune office, has been asked to submit details of his investments in 76 immovable properties.

The Bombay high court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by former journalist Ketan Tirodkar, which alleged that Kale was acting as a front man for Pawar and holding benami properties for the him. A division bench of justice BH Marlapalle and justice UD Salvi also directed Kale, to furnish details of the source of money used to purchasing a flat in the controversial Adarsh Co-operative Housing Society.

The PIL claims Kale, who works as rector of Baramati Hostel at Pune, had given an undertaking before the city collector declaring his monthly income at Rs 12,000. The declaration was given in July 2004 to fulfill a pre-condition for getting a flat at Adarsh, which according to the PIL had been allotted to Kale, on Pawar’s recommendation.

In December 2008, Kale gave another undertaking before the HC while seeking anticipatory bail in connection with an economic offence pertaining to Ajit Co-operative Bank, declaring that he and his wife, Nilima, co-owned 76 immovable properties in Pune district. He got anticipatory bail on a condition that he would neither dispose of the properties nor create any third party interest in them. The flat at Adarsh society did not figure on the list furnished to the high court, alleged Tirodkar. On the basis of these two undertakings, Tirodkar has alleged Kale was a front man.